Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries head into their parties' internal leadership elections facing open opposition from some incoming Democrats, though neither has a declared challenger, as both parties prepare to choose leaders for a Congress Democrats will control.
In the Senate, Sen.-elect Troy Jackson of Maine, who defeated Republican Susan Collins, and Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas have both said they would oppose Schumer. Sen.-elect Annie Andrews of South Carolina has called for generational change in leadership.
Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan has said he wants to look at his options. He has endorsed Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland for majority leader, but Van Hollen is not running.
The Senate majority leader is chosen by a simple majority inside the Democratic Caucus, not on the floor. Races in Alaska and Mississippi remain undecided; if Democrats win both, 56 senators would caucus with them, and Schumer would need 29 votes.
Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii is running for majority whip, seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.
The House contests
On the House side, some progressives and Democrats affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America who will take office next year want someone other than Jeffries as leader. None has named an alternative. Jeffries would be the first Black speaker of the House.
Democrats must first pick a speaker nominee by simple majority in their caucus. The full House then votes when the new Congress convenes at noon on Jan. 3, and if all 435 members cast ballots, the winner needs 218.
Republicans, headed for the House minority, have contested races of their own. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana is running against Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio for minority leader, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota faces Rep. August Pfluger of Texas for minority whip.
Those contests are decided by a simple majority of incoming House Republicans, including nonvoting delegates from U.S. territories, and do not go to the full House.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota faces less pressure, and President Donald Trump has not called for new Senate leadership. Senate Republicans will choose their leader by secret ballot; with 44 seats, a winner would need 23 votes.
